Centrifugal pump



April 28, 1936. c. H, VEEDER CENTRIFUGAL PUMP Filed June 27. 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet l m 7 1 mi INVENTR CUR /s l-fi/yzs EER . ATTORNEY.

A ril 28, 1935. c. H. VEEDER CENTRIFUGAL PUMP Filed June 27. 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 VENT I? Gu /7775 771/5 ER BY M fig A TTOR'NEV.

A E 393%, c. H. VEEDER CENTRIFUGAL PUMP Filed June 27. 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 ATTORNEY.

3 L w a L w Am 9 VEQNTOR V5 DER ATTORNEY.

Afiril 28, 1936. c. H. VE EDER CENTRIFUGAL I PUMP Filed June 2'7. 1930 v 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Apr. 28, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 13 Claims.

My invention relates to centrifugal pumps.

It has among its objects to provide an improved centrifugal pump. A further object of my invention is to provide an improved pump having an improved gradually expanding discharge and Venturi eifect, increasing the chiciency of the pump by enabling substantially all of the kinetic energy of the whirling water to be converted into static pressure. A still further object of my invention is to provide an improved structure whereby the above result may be obtained at all speeds and rates of discharge and having improved co-operating expanding passage forming means of large capacity associated with the impeller in an improved manner to form the improved Venturi passage, while also having improved co-operating balanced discharge passages leading from that passage to the pump discharge. A further object of my invention is to provide an improved annular passage for converting the kinetic energy of the fluid stream discharged by the impeller to static pressure wherein the cross section of the passage in which the conversion takes place is the same at any radius about the axis of the impeller, resulting in a uniform fluid fiow regardless of the angle of discharge of the fluid stream from the impeller. Other objects of my invention are to provide an improved pump structure of the submerged type adapted to be economically produced and readily assembled and adjusted and in which all the parts are efiectually lubricated and readily accessible. These and other objects and advantages of my improved construction will, however, hereinafter more fully appear.

In the accompanying drawings, I have shown,

-' for purposes of illustration, three embodiments which my invention may assume in practice.

In these drawings,-

Figure 1 is a central vertical sectional view of one form of my improved pump;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the same;

Figure 3 is a plan view of the impeller used therein;

Figure 4 is a side elevation of the impeller, partially in section to facilitate illustration;

Figure 5 is a sectional view on line 5-5 of Figure 1;

Figure 6 is a developed view of the discharge outlets;

Figure 7 is an enlarged view of the upper main and impeller shaft bearings and of the connecting means for said shafts shown in Figure 1;

Figure 8 is a sectional view on line 8-8 of Figure 7 Figure 9 is a sectional view on line 9-9 of Figure '7;

Figure 10 is a sectional view on line I l 0 of Figure 7 Figure 11 is a sectional view on line IIH of Figure '7;

Figure 12 is a vertical sectional view of a modified construction, and

Figure 13 is a similar view of a further modified construction.

Considering first th construction shown in Figures 1 to 11, it will be noted that I have shown therein a submerged pump having an impeller body I movable with a power driven main shaft 2 and carrying a multiplicity of blades 3 rotatable 15 between guide members 4 and 5 in such manner as to cause water to be drawn into axial inlets 6 above and below the impeller and delivered thereby through an improved passage 1, hereinafter described, to other improved co-operating communicating passage means hereinafter described, which lead to a discharge 8.

More particularly considering the blades 3 and the passage 1 receiving the discharge therefrom, it will be noted that the blades deliver into the passage 1 at substantially the smallest point in the latter passage, and that from this point the passage 1 is gradually enlarged or expanded. Thus it will be noted that with the impeller delivering at the point of greatest constriction and consequently of highest velocity of liquid flow, a Venturi effect is obtained. Moreover, it will be observed that the passage 1 extends for a considerable distance straight away from the impeller in such manner as to provide a straight discharge of gradually increasing depth leading laterally from the tips of the impeller blades and, at some distance from the latter, upwardly while still gradually expanding. Here, of course, it will also be understood that the passage 1 extends completely beneath and up around the outer side of the member 5 between the same and the member 4 so that its efiect is accordingly the same all around the impeller, and that the passage means 1 communicates at the top of the member 4 with other co-operating passage means hereinafter described.

Referring more particularly to the guide 4, the inside of which forms the outer wall of the passage I, it will be noted that herein the same is bowl shaped and provided with a slightly outwardly curved side Ill near its bottom which is spaced internally from the member 5. Also, it will be noted that it is provided with a flat horizontal surface H extending a substantial distance beyond the tips of the blades 3 and merging into the curved side In. As shown, it is also provided with a series of vertically disposed ribs 12, herein four, on its outer side and bottom, and a peripheral flange or rim l3 on its upper end, as well as a suitable impeller journal support l4 beneath its axis and carried by the ribs 12. These ribs l2 herein also provide seats for threaded connections I5. As shown, the rim member I3 is also suitably flanged at l3 to receive a corresponding flange on a guide cover 16 carrying the member 5 and the discharge connections, and this cover member is also connected to the flange l3 by suitable bolts I1.

Referring moreparticularly to the guide 5, it will be noted that the same is substantially ringlike and herein hollow as shown at 20. It will also be observed that it has its lower surface 2| so inclined relative to the opposite flat inner surface H of the member 4 and later so curved relative to the inner surface of the portion l thereof as to produce the passage 1 heretofore described. It will also be noted that herein the member has a more abruptly inwardly inclined surface 22 on the outer side of the top thereof, and a less abruptly inclined surface 23 on the inside of the top thereof, one co-operating with the inner surface of the member 5 to direct the discharge into the co-operating discharge passage hereinafter described, and the other opposite a corresponding surface on the impeller body and acting to permit the passage of water to the inlets 5. As shown, this surface 23 also carries at its top a plurality of inwardly projecting spaced webs 24, herein four, which in turn support an axially located and apertured bearing support 25.- As shown herein, the upper peaked end of the member 5 also forms an annular supporting portion 25 having an annular flange 21 thereon receiving a corresponding flange on the bottom of the inner periphery of the member l6 and is suitably attached thereto by a series of bolts 28.

Referring to the member l5, it will be noted that this member is annular in shape, and that while closing the space between the adjacent sides of the members 4 and 5, it is also provided with passageways leading to the discharge 8. More particularly, it will be noted that the same is provided with a pair of oppositely disposed upwardly curved outlets 30, each of which is supported on a suitable web on the member I5 and also connected with an inclined communicating passageway 3| in the underside of the member 16 sloping gradually upward from a point under one discharge passage 30 and opening into the other, as shown in the development illustrated in Figure 6. Thus, the water passing through the gradually expanding passage 1 is delivered to one or the other of these passages 3| and through the same into the outlet passages 30 with a minimum of friction, and in a very direct path, while producing a well balanced construction due to the opposite location of the discharge passage means 30, 3|. Here it will also be observed that flanges 32 are provided on the member I6 at the upper ends of the passages 30, and that corresponding flanges on the lower branches of the discharge member 8 are connected to these flanges as by bolts 33.

Considering the discharge member 8, it will be noted that herein the same is in the form of a single member having depending branches 34 and 35, each of which extends not only upwardly but laterally in such manner, as shown in Figure 2, as to bring its upper end at one side of the axis of the pump and expose the main shaft 2 as well as the bearings therefor hereinafter described. Herein it will also be noted that a transverse web 35 connects the lower ends 34 and 35 of this member 8, and that this web is also disposed on the same side of the axis of the main shaft 2 as the discharge outlet of the member 8. It will also be noted that it is nearer the main shaft so that it may act as a support for a journal thereof hereinafter described, while the bifurcated portions 34 and 35 also permit access to this journal from the side.

More particularly considering the main shaft 2 and its top bearing, it will be noted that this shaft, which is rotated by suitable means (not shown), extends through a usual guard 40 having apertures 4| in the lower end thereof. It will also be observed that the lower end of the guard 40 is disposed in a longitudinally divided bearing bracket 42 connected together at 43 and having oppositely extending lugs 44 which are in turn attached by screws 45 to the adjacent side of the web 36. Moreover, it will be noted that a bearing sleeve 46 is seated in the member 42, and that this carries within the same a softrubber bearing sleeve 41 of well known form having a longitudinal slot 48 therein permitting the free flow of aiilingwvater therethrough.

Below "mg is a longitudinally divided coupling guard 49 which receives the lower end of the bracket 42 and its upper end. As shown, this guard is connected by laterally accessible screws 50 in such manner as to permit ready access between the members 34, to a coupling generally designated at 5|, hereinafter described, which connects to the main shaft 2 a lower impeller shaft 3' carrying the impeller 3. Also, it will be noted that the upper end of this section 3' extends in spaced relation through the flanged upper end of a sleeve 52 which is enclosed in and positioned by the lower end of the guard 49, and attached by a series of screws 53 to the portion 25, heretofore described, on the member 5, while being suitably positioned with respect thereto by a plurality of headless set screws 54.

Herein it willalso be noted that a sleeve 55 is suitably seated in the lower end of the sleeve 52 and held in position by a set screw 55, and that a slotted soft rubber bearing sleeve 51 is disposed within this sleeve, while both the sleeves 55 and 51 are provided with flanged lower ends overlying one another and the lower end of the sleeve 52. It will also be observed that the lower end of the rubber bushing 51 is provided with a lateral slot 58 communicating with its longitudinal slot 59. As shown, the lower end of this rubber bushing also projects beyond the lower end of the portion 25 and engages the upper surface of the impeller body I, while the impeller shaft 3' is keyed to the latter at 60 and extends through the hollow body of the impeller into and through the portion l2 on the member 4. As shown, an opposite and inverted thrust bearing similar to that previously described and comprising like sleeves 52, 55, 51 and screws 53 and 54, and also having slots 58 and 59 in the rubber bearing 51, set screws 56, etc., is also disposed on the portion l4 coaxial with the impeller and beneath the latter.

As regards the impeller, it will be noted that the same as shown herein is hollow and comprises co-operating body portions, one an upper portion 65 and the other a lower portion 66. Of these, the portion 66 is provided with a flanged upper rim 61 against which the lower periphery of the portion 65 abuts, while the impeller blades 3, of which twenty-four are shown, are as usual seated in both of these members and projected laterally from the sides thereof. Here, it will also be noted that each of the upper and lower hub portions of the members 65 and 6B is provided with an axial opening 68 in its end communicating with an annular groove 89 which in turn communicates through a series of radially disposed grooves 10 opening into the inlet passages 6.

Referring more particularly to the coupling 5|, it will be noted that the lower end of the main shaft 2 has a sleeve 15 attached thereto by welding at 16, while both the sleeve and the shaft are apertured transversely to receive pins Tl. The upper end of the impeller shaft 3' also has an enlarged head 18 similarly apertured to receive pins 19, while a coupling sleeve encloses both the sleeve 15 and the enlarged head 18, and is provided with apertures adapted to receive the pins 71 and 19. As shown, this sleeve is also provided with a flange 8| on its lower end supporting a pin covering sleeve 82, while a groove is also provided in the upper end of the sleeve 88 to receive a split spring 83 adapted to hold the parts in position.

In the operation of my improved construction it will be evident that when the main shaft 2 is suitably rotated, the impeller shaft 3 will be rotated therewith in a usual manner to cause the impeller blades 3 to rotate and draw in liquid from the supply passages 6 and deliver the same into the improved Venturi passage 1. It will also be evident that a large volume of liquid will be pumped, and that, by reason of the improved Venturi effect obtained by my improved construction, the efllciency of the pump Will be high. In fact, due to my improved construction, the expansion of the discharge is such as to enable the conversion of substantially all of the kinetic energy of the whirling water into static pressure. Moreover, it will be noted that the construction enables the water to take its natural course for any speed or rate of delivery without obstruction, the liquid passing through the improved expanding passage 1 of large capacity wholly without obstruction or interruption of flow, and being free to flow therein in such manner as to complete the conversion of kinetic energy into static pressure before its passage into the discharge line. As shown herein, it will also be noted that it flows from the annular expanding passage 1 into the passages 3|,

and from the latter, into the passages 30, which,

in turn, communicate with the branches 34 and 35 of the discharge 8, all in such manner as further to minimize the resistance to flow and produce an effective and well balanced device. Further, it will be noted that by reason of the annular shape of the discharge passage 1, giving it the same cross section at any radius about the axis of the impeller, a uniformity and smoothness of fluid flow results which is unobtainable under varying conditions of fluid velocity and volume of discharge with pumps having volute and non-concentric passages. This improved non-turbulent flow of fluid is obtained even under very considerable changes in the angle of discharge of fluid issuing from the impeller. As a result of my improved construction it will also be evident that it is possible through suitably adjusting the screws I1 and 28, and if necessary, suitably shimming the same in a well known manner, to adjust the size of the passage 1 and narrow or widen the same as may be necessary to obtain the most effective operation. It will also be evident that, through the improved adjusting means provided in association with the impeller bearings, the impeller may be adjusted readily and accurately.

Attention is also directed to the fact that all of the bearings are supplied with a continuous circulation of water in an effective manner. Due to the member 8 and its laterally offset location relative to the main and impeller shafts, it will also be observed that the several bearings are readily accessible. Moreover, through the provision of my improved construction, it will be observed that access may be readily had to the interior of the pump mechanism whenever desired, and that the member 5 is readily removable from the member 4 to permit access to be had to the impeller. By reason of the improved coupling, it is also possible to connect or disconnect the impeller and main shafts with facility, while the coupling connections are laterally accessible through the guard means associated therewith. These and other advantages of my improved construction will, however, be clearly apparent to those skilled in the art.

In Figure 12 I have illustrated somewhat schematically a modified form of the construction which, while not preferred, may be used if desired. In this construction it will be noted that the structure is fundamentally similar to that previously described, as regards the Venturi passage 90, but that this discharge passage is completely curved throughout and not provided with any relatively straight portion outside the impeller, previously described. It will also be noted that the portion 9|, corresponding to the portion 5, is integrally united to the portion 92, corresponding to the member l6, and that the shape of both the portion 9| and outlet 93, corresponding to the outlet 30, has been modified, as has also the member 94 corresponding to the member 4, and the impeller body 95, although the blades 96 thereof co-operate with the Venturi passage, as heretofore. Such a construction would obviously enable a pump of smaller diameter to be produced.

In Figure 13 I have similarly illustrated a further modified but not preferred construction, showing an annular Venturi passage 9'! delivering directly laterally into an annular passage 98 of uniform cross section. Herein the latter is formed on a discharge member 99 attached at I00 to a main casing member IOI of more usual centrifugal pump form and having oppositely disposed sloping walls I02 co-operating and equally sloping away from one another to provide the Venturi opening 91 receiving the discharge from the impeller blades I03. Herein the latter are also mounted upon a two-part impeller body I04 similiar to that shown in Figure 1. Obviously, such a construction would be more compact vertically than either construction previously described, and function as regards the Venturi effect in substantially the same manner, though it will be noted that in this construction a straight Venturi tube effect is obtained, as distinguished from the completely curved discharge shown in Figure 12 and the construction of Figure l, which includes both the straight and curved features in combination. Here, as in the construction shown in Figure 1, substantially complete energy conversion takes place wholly in an annular chamber, but it will be noted that here the annular chamber comprises passages 91 and 98, the cross section of which is the same at any radius about the axis of the impeller. Thus, here, as in Figures 1 and 12, the fluid discharged from the impeller will have a uniform expansion in all directions regardless of variations in the angle of discharge from the impeller resulting either from a change of velocity or a change of volume of the fluid discharged.

While I have in this application specifically described three embodiments which my invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that these forms of the same have been shown for purposes of illustration and that the invention may be further modified and embodied in other forms without departing from its spirit or the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:-

1. A centrifugal pump having an impeller, a guide bowl therefor, and a co-operatinghollow annular guide ring housed in the latter co-operating with said bowl to provide an annular Venturi passage having opposed flaring walls, comprising a discharge passage leading upwardly from between said bowl and ring toward the rim of said bowl.

2. A centrifugal pump having an impeller, a guide bowl therefor having an axial inlet in its bottom below said impeller, and a co-operating guide ring in the latter co-operating with said bowl to provide an unobstructed annular discharge passage having the same cross sectional area at any radius about said impeller axis leading from beneath said ring toward the top of said bowl and also having an axial inlet above said impeller, said guide ring being carried on the top of said guide bowl.

3. A centrifugal pump comprising a lower guide, an impeller therein, a ring guide co-operating therewith to provide a discharge passage, and a discharge passage cover carrying a plurality of oppositely located discharge passages and having means for directing the fiow from said first mentioned discharge passage annularly to said plurality of oppositely located discharge passages.

4. A centrifugal pump comprising a lower guide, an impeller therein, a ring guide co-operating therewith to provide a discharge passage, a discharge passage cover directing the flow from the latter annularly to a plurality of oppositely located gradually expanding discharge passages, and a discharge connection disposed at one side of the impeller axis and having inclined bifurcated passages receiving the discharge from said oppositely located gradually expanding passages.

5. A centrifugal pump comprising a bowl u d an impeller therein, a ring guide co-operating therewith to provide a discharge passage, a guide cover directing the flow from the latter annularly to a plurality of. oppositely located discharge passages, a discharge connection disposed at one side of the impeller axis and having inclined bifurcated passages receiving the discharge from said oppositely located passages, an impeller driving shaft, and impeller shaft journals on said bowl and ring guides and said discharge connection.

6. A centrifugal pump comprising a bowl guide, an impeller therein, a ring guide co-operating therewith to provide a discharge passage, a guide cover directing the flow from the latter annularly to a plurality of oppositely located discharge passages, a discharge connection disposed at one side of the impeller axis and having inclined bifurcated passages receiving the discharge from said oppositely located passages, an impeller driving shaft, impeller shaft journals on said bowl and ring guides and said discharge connection, and a shaft coupling between the journals carried by said ring guide and discharge connection.

7. A centrifugal pump comprising a lower guide, an impeller therein, a ring guide co-operating with said lower guide to provide an annular gradually expanding discharge passage therebetween, and a discharge passage cover carrying a plurality of oppositely located gradually expanding discharge passages and directing the flow from said first mentioned discharge passage annularly to said plurality of oppositely located passages, said cover, said ring guide, and the bottom of said lower guide having axial inlet apertures leading to said impeller.

8. A centrifugal pump comprising an impeller means forming axial inlet means on opposite sides thereof, means forming an annular passage receiving the discharge from said impeller and delivering the same while rotating in said passage substantially above the top of said impeller, cooperating discharge means concentric with said passage receiving the discharge therefrom, discharge connections connected to said concentric discharge means, said discharge connections comprising a bifurcated connection connected to said concentric means at diametrically opposite points and delivering to a common discharge offset laterally relative td tlie axls tlf said impeller, and driving connections for said impeller disposed coaxially therewith and accessible laterally between the portions of said bifurcated connection.

9. A centrifugal pump having an impeller rotatable about a vertical axis, a guide bowl therefor, and a co-operaiing guide, said bowl and cooperating guide providing radially of said impeller an elongated annular Venturi discharge passage having a gradually expanding annular extension leading up outside said co-operating guide and over the top surface thereof.

10. A centrifugal liquid pump having an impeller, an annular expanding passage for converting into pressure substantially all of the kinetic energy in the whirling liquid discharged by said impeller prior to the discharge of liquid from said passage, and co-operating discharge means forming a cover for said annular passage having a sloping passage disposed concentrically with said annular passage.

11. A centrifugal pump comprising an impeller rotatable about a vertical axis, means forming axial inlet means on opposite sides thereof, a stationary casing forming an annular Venturi passage having opposite gradually diverging walls and an intermediate throat portion and receiving the discharge from said impeller and delivering the same while rotating in said passage substantially above the top of said impeller, co-

operating discharge means concentric with said passage receiving the discharge therefrom at a negligible velocity, and discharge connections connected to said concentric discharge means.

12. A centrifugal fluid pump having a stationary casing, an enclosed annular Venturi discharge confining passage therein comprising an intermediate constricted throat portion and oppositely directed inner and outer expanding portions on opposite sides of said throat portion, said outer expanding portion having opposed gradually diverging walls of sumcient length for converting substantially all of the kinetic energy of a fluid stream passing through the Venturi passage into static pressure prior to discharge therefrom, and an impeller located in said inner portion having generally radially directed tapered vanes conforming with the side walls of said inner portion and having their peripheries adjacent the throat portion of said passage.

13. A centrifugal pump including an impeller and an annular Venturi passage of uniform cross section in any radial plane along and through the axis of. said impeller comprising a throat portion and inner and outer expanding portions op- 15 positely directed from said throat portion, the

impeller having generally radially directed tapered vanes disposed in said inner expanding portion and having the taper of said vanes conforming to the opposed expanding walls of said passage portion and having the ends of said vanes terminating substantially at said throat portion, said Ventnri passage presenting an unobstructed path of gradually changing cross section to either a radially directed or a spirally directed fluid stream discharged through said throat, and said outer expanding passage portion being of such extent as to convert substantially all of the kinetic energy of the fluid stream into static pressure while confined therein.

CURTIS H. VEEDER. 

